Simon Wright

Partner, Patent Attorney

IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners identifies Simon as a ‘recommended individual’ for his expertise in Biotechnology. Simon is reported to have “the ear of venture capitalists” and is “an influential figure in many of Europe’s IP organisations”.

Simon Wright has over 30 years’ experience of patent work, including drafting and filing patent applications throughout the world – in particular, before the European Patent Office (EPO). He handles prosecution, as well as opposition and appeal work, primarily in the life sciences.

Simon was involved in the seminal EPO Board of Appeal Decision T820/92 concerning contraceptive methods involving the administration of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone to women. He also acted as an expert witness and gave evidence to the English High Court in the HGS v Eli Lilly litigation, which led to the first-ever Supreme Court decision on a patent matter (concerning industrial applicability).

Simon is a council member for both professional institutes, the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA) and the Institute of Representatives before the EPO (epi). He is one of two UK members of the epi governing Council and a member of the Standing Advisory Committee before the EPO. He currently chairs the CIPA Life Sciences Committee, which organises an annual conference in late November. Mr Wright is secretary of the epi Biotech Committee. This gives him a valuable insight into future legislative and practice changes, in particular before the EPO, and the opportunity to influence future legislation.

Simon joined J A Kemp in 1994, after working in private practice elsewhere since 1986, and became a partner in 1999.

Services & Specialisms

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Education

University of Bristol, Honours Degree in Chemistry (Specialist options in Biochemistry)

Professional Qualifications

European Patent Attorney, UK Chartered Patent Attorney

Membership of Professional Bodies

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), Member of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (EPI), Chairman of the CIPA Life Sciences Committee, Secretary of the EPI Biotechnological Inventions Committee, Member of the CIPA Council, UK Member of EPI Council, Member of the Standing Advisory Committee before the European Patent Office (SACEPO), UK Member of EPI Governing Board